Football: Goodson finds a home as CU Buffs' slot receiver

CU's 'Playmakers' ready to air it out this fall

CU receiver D.D. Goodson is ready to give the Buffs a weapon in the slot position this fall. (CLIFF GRASSMICK)

D.D. Goodson is finally making some highlights.

The 5-7, 170-pound junior, one of the standouts of Colorado's spring drills, appears to have found a home at slot receiver after some forgettable moments at defensive back, running back and on special teams during his first two seasons with the Buffs.

Goodson, who requested this latest position switch after the coaching change, has been a quick study in Mike MacIntyre's version of the pistol offense.

During Friday's scrimmage at Folsom Field, Goodson contributed to the Buffs' offensive onslaught with five catches for 64 yards and two touchdowns.

"I feel really comfortable at the slot position and at the receiver position in general. I played it a lot in high school and got a feel for it," said Goodson, a product of the same Texas high school (Lamar Consolidated) as former CU receiver Michael Lewis. "The coaches are working with me and we're all making plays out here."

Paul Richardson grabbed most of the attention and a 75-yard deep ball from Nick Hirschman. The speedy receiver, who blew out a knee a year ago and missed the 2012 season, finished with 125 yards and two touchdowns.

Nelson Spruce had five catches for 115 yards, Tyler McCulloch had four catches for 62 yards and a touchdown, and Jeff Thomas also looked the part with three catches for 52 yards and a touchdown.

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"Having all these weapons, it really makes us more diverse in the passing game," quarterback Connor Wood said after completing 18 of 22 passes for 269 yards and three touchdowns. "(Goodson) really does a great job getting open. He's very quick."

Goodson was redshirting during the 2011 season until a rash of injuries in the secondary forced former CU defensive coordinator Greg Brown to look for volunteers.

The redshirt was burned and so was Goodson during his first two starts against high-scoring Oregon and USC.

Last season didn't start off any brighter as Goodson muffed a punt that helped Colorado State seize the momentum in the Rocky Mountain Showdown.

At tailback, Goodson only carried the ball four times for 18 yards on a 1-11 team.

"It's all a learning experience," Goodson said. "I learned a lot of stuff and got a lot of awareness on defense, I got my feet right and learned how to avoid tackles at running back. It all works in the game of football, and I just apply that to the receiver position."

Troy Walters, a diminutive receiver who won the Biletnikoff Award at Stanford and played eight seasons in the NFL, might be the perfect position coach for Goodson.

"I always tell the guys to use their size to their advantage. If you're smaller then there are advantages, like using your quickness to avoid contact," said Walters, who is MacIntyre's wide receivers coach. "(Goodson) is a good kid, a young man that just wants to help the team out. He went to Coach Mac and felt like he could help the team out as a receiver. We moved him to receiver to see what he can do.

"He's got a strong build and he is good with his hands. He has been a pleasant surprise."

MacIntyre has been impressed with Goodson's almost seamless transition from running back to receiver in such a short period of time.

And also with the new slot receiver's toughness.

"He even had a dislocated finger from Thursday's practice that he popped back in place and was able to catch the ball," MacIntyre said. "I thought that was good."

The nine touchdowns surrendered and 517 yards allowed through the air might give defensive coordinator Kent Baer nightmares over the summer, but this confident crop of wide receivers believes they will be able to find the end zone on fall Saturdays.

"I really love this offense because we throw the ball around a lot," Goodson said. "As a receiving crew we call ourselves, 'The Playmakers.' We're trying to make plays every practice, every scrimmage, and then when games come around. ...

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